How the 2020 compares
One of the better Altima years
Owners filed about 60% fewer complaints than a typical Altima year. The area owners reported most is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 21,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Altima years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 162 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Nissan Altima. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (43, 27% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the driver assist systems. That ranks 9th of 13 Altima years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 6 recalls.
Complaints162filed with NHTSA
Recalls6for this model year
Crashes1513 injuries reported
Fires5reported in complaints
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2020 Nissan Altima before you buy.
Electrical system
43 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Both passenger-side and driver's side rear door lock mechanisms ceased working. They do not work when attempting to lock/unlock the doors from the inside controls in the front seat. These doors also do not lock/unlock when using the remote key fob either. Both rear doors have to be lock/unlocked manually from the inside of the door.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact became aware that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was an independent dealer sale. At the time of the purchase, the vehicle mileage was 83,000. It was later discovered during routine maintenance with an authorized local dealer that the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 125,000 miles
Engine and cooling
40 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
SUBJECT: Improper Recall Remedy Denial, NHTSA Recall #25V437000 (Nissan R25A8/R25A9) Vehicle: 2020 Nissan Altima 2.0L VC-Turbo Mileage at Failure: 147,540 Incident Description: The vehicle experienced a sudden catastrophic engine failure resulting in a permanent no-start condition. The vehicle had been parked normally and completely…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Engine Malfunction" was displayed. Additionally, the vehicle experienced excessive coolant consumption and the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the thermostat was replaced; however…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Driver assist systems
33 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Warnings (22), Automatic emergency braking (10).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
This car is going to kill me! It randomly hits the brakes on the highways! I am literally driving a deadly weapon. I turn the emergency brakes off and had it checked and STILL brakes. It break everytime I pass a shade spot on the road and even highway going over 60 miles per hour! It hits the breaks while I am in traffic making the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The forward emergency braking system on my vehicle disables itself. I receive a message stating "front laser obstructed". There is no obstruction on vehicle. I relly on the emergency braking system to give me a heads up on possible forwars collision. Problem started around 50000 miles. It went away for a few months then came backOwner complaint, filed 2023
Transmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The “check engine” light came on - after shutting off the engine a couple times - it still came on. Took the 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum to Glendale Nissan - after a 3 hour wait they said I need a new Cam Shaft for $6,000. The car only has 42,000 miles. I took the car to get a second option - they want $9,000 to fix it. So I called…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Many times while I'm driving, I feel a jerky motion. when I am at a stop light, and proceed to hit the accelerator, it will not pick up. I have lost power, the car will jerk while I'm driving. The RPM will rave go up. It's very dangerous because I can be driving and the engine will lose or reduced power. I get a whining sound, like my…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Brakes and stability control
18 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 11,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2020 nissan altima. The contact stated that upon approaching a stop light, he attempted to stop the vehicle but the brake pedal failed without warning. The contact depressed the brake pedal to the floorboard but to no avail; due to the brake failure, he bumped into the vehicle in front of him at 5 MPH. The air bags did…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 260 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the auto-braking system unexpectedly activated, and there was a grinding sound coming from the brakes; however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The ABS warning light was illuminated. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the brakes suddenly activated, and the instrument…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 120,000 miles
Steering
13 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was driving home and my steering wheel locked up on me while my car was in motion. I eased on down the road thinking that it locked because of a safety warning, but it never unlocked. I eased my car onside the road and put it in park. While in park, the power steering light appeared on the dashboard. Once I turned my car off, the…Owner complaint, filed 2021
The tire rod assembly disconnected and caused a near miss accident. The steering was no longer intact. The car had to be towed and repaired to the nearest auto repair shop.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Lights, wipers and visibility
10 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
1 of 2 problems! 1 the passenger head light seems to be leaking water into the headlight and blurring vission forwards and gives a blurring illusion and mabe shorting out the headlight. 2 the windshield wipers liquid sencer showes it needs windshield wipers fluid when it's full. The light on the dashboard keeps flashing showing this and…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Its not unknown. I arrived at work on Thursday the 12th of May, AT 8:00 A.M. I work in an Industrial Park where there is no traffic. My car was looking great, I put my sunshade cover up and proceeded to go into work. After working all day I came out to my car and my windshield was crack starting from the top of the car and flowering…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Wheels and tires
9 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
I leased and then bought a new 2020 Altima in 11/19 with 4 Continental tires. On 8/27/26 I saw a hole and fissures in the sidewall of the right-rear tire (Continental Pro Contact TX 215 / 55 R 17. All 4 tires had 7/32 wear on 11/30/25 and were rotated front to back. Threads are good.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Replaced tire after bring it to the dealership and showing them the defective tire, they then charge me 200 and some odd dollars to fix it now there's a recall on it I called the dealership they're refusing to give me a refund made me call nissan corporate nissan corporate response was they don't make tiresOwner complaint, filed 2020
Air bags
8 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
On October 31, 2025, I noticed the Check engine light was on, after inspecting the car at the closest car shop the technician noticed white powder on the driver side knee airbag cover. Next morning I brought my vehicle to Temecula Nissan telling about airbag powder leakage. But this issue was completely ignored by the Advisor, who for…Owner complaint, filed 2025
2020 Nissan Altima involved in a 3 car collision. Altima was rear ended by a vehicle travelling approximately 50 MPH and forced Altima to rear end the vehicle in front of it. Vehicle is a total loss. No air bags deployed.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Body, doors and structure
8 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Body (6).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
Hood unlatched while driving on expressway and smashed into windshield. Extreme safety issue. Viewed by mechanic and tow truck. No warnings before unlatchingOwner complaint, filed 2025
Unable to open driver’s door from the inside of the vehicle. To exit the car I have to climb over and exit through passenger door or roll down the window and open the door from the outside handle. This is a potential safety concern of not be able to get out of the car in an emergency or injuring myself when I have to climb over the…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Fuel system
7 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The CVT issue remains with this car even though I have complained. The car will randomly de accelerate and randomly accelerate which has cause minor fender bender. The car continue to studer and jerk and continues to show since of transmission issues. These cars need to be recalled before someone is seriously injured from the known CVT…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I been having issues with my car stalling out and not wanting to start I got the spark plugs replaced by a mechanic and then my car starts over heating I have my car looked at by a mechanic again and I’m told the engine is corrupt by oil and the fuel pump is bad my car can be inspected for this issue as it is having a lot more issues due…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Cruise control and acceleration
6 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The components and systems experiencing problems in my 2020 Nissan Altima S 2.5L include the engine, throttle body, and mass airflow (MAF) sensor system. The vehicle has experienced severe engine performance issues, including excessive fuel consumption, jerking, hesitation during acceleration, reduced engine power, and unexpected limp…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My issue began 1 month after buying the vehicle. Regardless if I'm on the highway or back road no transition from one lane to another needs to be initiated , my whole dash will light up red and the car will come to a complete stop , at this time I just hold on and brace myself .Im a RN w/2 kids I went back to the dealer they said they…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Suspension
5 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
I been having issues with my car stalling out and not wanting to start I got the spark plugs replaced by a mechanic and then my car starts over heating I have my car looked at by a mechanic again and I’m told the engine is corrupt by oil and the fuel pump is bad my car can be inspected for this issue as it is having a lot more issues due…Owner complaint, filed 2025
My 2020 Nissan Altima is having issues with the transmission . When you accelerate the engine Jerks, Vibrates , Shutters. It hesitates even when stopping acts like it doesn’t want to shift into another gear . My Tires are always loosing air as well . The Front of my car is always making a sound think suspension issues .Owner complaint, filed 2024
Seats and seat belts
4 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
•My driver’s seat motor tract assembly failed to move back & forth. It can be available for inspection. •My Safety was @ risk due to the seat inability to move back & forth. My foot couldn’t reach the accelerator or the brakes because the seat malfunctioned while the seat was moved so that I could get out of the car. •The problem has…Owner complaint, filed 2024
I was in a nissan altima with three passengers, two in the back seats and one in the front seat. When in the process of turning left someone crashed into the rear of my vehicle. Both the front seats broke at the hinge pushing the seats back into the backseat passengers. This resulted in minor injuries to them; scraps on leg and head…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 15,000 miles
Nissan Altima complaints by year
Compare the 2020 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2020 midsize cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Nissan Altima | One of the better years | 6 |
| 2020 Toyota Camry | About average | 3 |
| 2020 Honda Accord | One of the better years | 5 |
| 2020 Hyundai Sonata | One of the better years | 4 |
2020 Nissan Altima recalls
This is every recall issued for the 2020 Nissan Altima, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.
Engine and cooling Hard parts internal / mechanical
- Risk
- Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.
Backup camera
- Risk
- A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary.
Full recall summary
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Tires
- Risk
- Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Steering Tie rod assembly
- Risk
- A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.
Tires
- Risk
- Over cured tires can result in a sidewall break causing a sudden loss of air or the tread separating from the tire.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's tires to see if they are affected, replacing them as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima S grade vehicles equipped with Continental ProContact TX tires, size 215/60 R16 H, with TIN date code 3320 and Mold ID S-419149. The tires may have been over cured.
Windows, mirrors and wipers Glass, side / rear
- Risk
- Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.
2020 Nissan Altima questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Nissan Altima?
The most reported problem areas on the 2020 Nissan Altima are the electrical system (43 complaints), the engine and cooling (40 complaints) and the driver assist systems (33 complaints).
Is the 2020 Nissan Altima a good year to buy?
One of the better Altima years. Owners filed about 60% fewer complaints than a typical Altima year. The area owners reported most is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 21,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Altima years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2020 Nissan Altima have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2020 Nissan Altima. The most recent, from Jun 2025, covers the hard parts internal / mechanical. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2020 Nissan Altima problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 21,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the brakes and stability control gave a mileage of about 11,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Nissan Altima years should I avoid?
The Altima years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013, 2014 and 2015. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2018, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
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These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model